Sooty and Sweep are set to make a television comeback.
The loveable talking puppets – who appeared on the small screen from 1968 until 2001 – will be making a return next week on ITVBe’s new pre-school slot littleBe.
Richard Cadell – who is best known for being the hand of Sooty since 1998 – said: "Not only has Sooty turned 70 this year, but 2018 also marks 50 years since ‘The Sooty Show’ first appeared on ITV in 1968! How exciting to be celebrating this incredible achievement with a brand new series. Long may it continue!"
The show will feature a number of celebrity cameo appearances from the likes of ‘Mysterious Girl’ hitmaker Peter Andre, Steps singer Faye Tozer, actress and TV presenter Lisa Riley and ‘Only Fools And Horses’ legend John Challis.
Darren Nartey, ITV programme acquisitions executive, said: "We are absolutely thrilled to be bringing Sooty back to our screens. He is an iconic and well-loved character and our audience will be delighted to see more of his antics."
Sooty was created by the puppeteer and magician Harry Corbett in 1948.
Richard took over the hand of Sooty – who got his name from the black soot Harry used to darken his ears – from the creator’s son Matthew.
He sold the rights to the franchise to a production company in 2000 but bought them back eight years later with plans for fresh television and stage formats.
He’s promised fans the six-part series will be filled with "mischief and mayhem."
Sooty and Sweep to make TV comeback next week
